Suspected dissident money seized... and used to fund PSNI

A sum of £3,500 was seized by officers investigating suspicious activity in Londonderry last September, and at the time the police believed the money was under the control of a proscribed organisation known as the “New IRA”.

It was the first time money had been seized using the Crime and Security Act 2001 by the PSNI.

The PSNI said in a statement on Tuesday: “We know that these people are involved in criminality that creates harm and suffering in our community. This legislation gives us a tool to help us tackle illegal activity.

“It means that money that may have been used to buy guns and explosives to attack members of the community, including police officers, has been taken out of circulation.”

Police added that a claim by an individual to contest the forfeiture had been dropped at Antrim Crown Court on Tuesday.

Money seized under the legislation is retained by the Treasury, with a portion being allocated to the PSNI.

The PSNI added: “Police can use this money for specific operations to combat crime and criminality and to keep people safe. It cannot, for example, be used to buy police equipment.”